AZiO Levetron Mech5 Modular Mechanical Keyboard Review - PAGE 4

In keeping with its modular design, the Levetron Mech5 comes with two add-on periperhals that complement the already feature-rich tenkeyless main keyboard. The first of the two is the detachable number pad.

This accessory follows the same aesthetic design as the main keyboard – angular lines, faux-bolts and an all-plastic construction. All the keys feature Cherry MX Black switches except the glossy Calculator shortcut that lies further down. Near the top is the number lock indicator that will glow red when the accessory is plugged in. Along both the right and left sides of the add-on is a female USB port.

Flipping the accessory over, we find a sticker with the AZiO Levetron Mech5 branding and serial number. Just below that is a square drainage hole. Three spring-loaded tabs on the top, left and right give us an idea on how the accessory will attach onto the main keyboard. To the top and bottom are two long rubber strips for stability.

Like the main keyboard, we find a two-level kickstand mechanism near the top.

There are several ways to install this number pad accessory. The first two are the most obvious and simply involve attaching it directly into the sides of the keyboard. Opening the flip cover on either side of the main keyboard reveals a male USB connector. This will connect with one of two female USB ports on the number pad.

Remember the three tabs from the back of the accessory? Two of the three will subsequently latch onto corresponding clips on the keyboard.

Due to flip covers on both sides, the number pad can be attached to either left or right of the keyboard. Unfortunately, the leftover USB port on the number pad does not act as a pass-through – the number pad simply loses connection if you attempt to plug anything in.

In use, I found the mechanism much too loose – the number pad lost connection with any significant movement of the keyboard. Some rubber strips inside the flip cover, or bigger mounting clips would have alleviated the issue a bit. To make matters worse, the kickstands on the number pad are slightly shorter than the main keyboard kickstands. Without the kickstands, all the rubber pads are the same height but otherwise it just puts undue stress on the USB port and risks making the disconnection issue worse. Thankfully, AZiO has provided a male-to-male USB cable that allows you to connect the number pad accessory directly into one of two USB ports on the main keyboard. Unlike the main keyboard USB cable, this one isn't braided or gold-plated. Again, the unused USB port on the number pad does not act as a pass-through when the accessory is attached.

As a last option, you could always attach the accessory directly to the computer's USB port instead. With or without drivers, the pad was up and running in no time – even the Calculator shortcut.

Next up is the macro add-on accessory, something that I initially thought to be quite redundant given the existing dedicated macro keys to the left of the main keyboard. It attaches to the top of the main keyboard and acts as an alternative to the WASD cluster or arrow keys, though they can be programmed into any key or macro with the included software. Unlike the rest of the keyboard, the six keys here do not have mechanical switches. Out the back trails a very thin non-braided USB cable that ends in a non-gold-plated USB connector.

Yet again, the back of the add-on features a small rubber-tipped kickstand as support for when it is attached to the main keyboard.

The accessory is installed onto the main keyboard by sliding it into the rails from the left of the keyboard. The notches on the rails mount it firmly into place and because they stretch more than halfway down the length of the keyboard, you are fairly free to shift around the keys however much you please. Unfortunately, the accessory may block some of the F-keys while in use. Thankfully, it can flip up when unneeded.

Next, simply connect it to one of the USB ports on the keyboard or your computer. Without installing the included software, these macro keys are not assigned to any function. Also if you decide to attach both the macro accessory and number pad into the pass-through USB ports on the keyboard, you'll be left with none remaining.

With so many features, AZiO has thankfully shipped the Levetron Mech5 with a powerful software configuration tool. Let's take a look.

Comments

The heights of buttons looks like from my first keyboard from '99 Btw I'm not kinda like all that additional stuff on a keyboard, to play any games all I need is simple flat keyboard with mice( with 2 buttons and scroll wheel:P ) nothing more:)there is even no space on my desk for such a solid keyboard:P

I wouldn't even attach the number pad myself, being as I don't use it.

It would be great though, to have a feature rich mechanical keyboard with an LCD screen and a programmable macro touch-screen (complete with changeable graphics), and a volume knob. I think there was one, but it was limited run, or just really expensive (WoW or something?).

I wouldn't even attach the number pad myself, being as I don't use it.

It would be great though, to have a feature rich mechanical keyboard with an LCD screen and a programmable macro touch-screen (complete with changeable graphics), and a volume knob. I think there was one, but it was limited run, or just really expensive (WoW or something?).

It's all fine and good until you get to a person like me, who absolutely needs a number pad in his day to day use. It's commendable that there's an option to remove it here -- I just wish it was implemented better.